Days after a concerning injury, Simone Biles and her U.S. women’s artistic gymnastics team secured gold in the team finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This victory marks their first medal of the games and a remarkable comeback for both Biles and Team USA.
Italy finished second with 165.494 points, trailing Team USA’s 171.296, earning their first Olympic medal in women’s gymnastics in nearly 100 years. Brazil claimed bronze, narrowly missing second place, and earned their first-ever Olympic medal in women’s gymnastics.
The team final, held at Bercy Arena, featured Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Sunisa Lee.
This event was crucial for the American athletes, all returning Olympians, especially for Biles, who had to withdraw from the 2020 Games due to a mental block.
Biles and Chiles participated in the uneven bars, vault, balance beam, and floor exercise events, while Lee competed in all but the vault, Carey’s only event.
Hezly Rivera, a 16-year-old debutant, did not compete but still received a gold medal with her team.
Team USA was the favorite, having won gold in London and Rio in 2012 and 2016, and silver in Tokyo. They delivered strong performances in all apparatus, with standout floor routines securing their victory.
Biles’ floor routine, featuring her signature moves, received a standing ovation and sealed the win.
Earlier, Biles impressed with her bar routine, receiving applause from notable spectators like Michael Phelps and Spike Lee. Despite a fall from Chiles on the beam, the team maintained top scores throughout.
Competing against seven other top teams, Team USA led the qualification session with a score of 172.296.
Biles, 27, made a dominant return despite a recent calf injury, becoming the most decorated American Olympic gymnast with her eighth medal, surpassing Shannon Miller.
